BHL News, Blog Reel

BHL Transition Update #2

Transition Update. Call for Support now open. BHL logo. Background image of the stem, flower, and leaves of Carolinea minor

Help us shape the future of the Biodiversity Heritage Library

The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is at a turning point. After nearly two decades of calling the Smithsonian Institution home, BHL must transition to a new hosting structure beginning in January 2026. Since receiving that news, we’ve been working steadily to secure a strong and sustainable future for BHL. In our last update, we shared the appointment of a Transition Director, the formation of a Transition Team, and a partnership with a fiscal sponsor.

Today, we release our official Call for Support. This is a pivotal moment in BHL’s journey, and we are counting on our community to help spread the word and contribute in whatever ways you can. BHL’s enduring strength comes from its international consortium and diverse community of scientists and citizen scientists who use the platform to explore, understand, and protect biodiversity. Support comes in many forms–some visible, some behind the scenes–but all are vital to BHL’s future.

Additionally, in keeping with our commitment to transparency, we are updating our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to include information about the transition. New questions will be added regularly, so we encourage you to read and visit them often.

More About the Call for Support

🔗 Call for Support – Secure the Future of BHL

This global call invites partners to host or support BHL’s core roles, infrastructure, and services as we move through the next phase of our journey. From libraries and museums to universities, research centers, and nonprofit partners, we’re looking for new collaborators to carry BHL’s vital work forward.

We welcome support in the form of:

  • Hosting key BHL roles or services (short- or long-term)
  • Contributing in-kind support (e.g. staffing, infrastructure, expertise)
  • Partnering on collaborative grants or funding proposals
  • Providing financial support via our new fiscal sponsor

Key Dates

We encourage initial expressions of interest by 31 August 2025, with consideration continuing on a rolling basis.

Questions and expressions of interest can be directed to:

Kelli Trei, BHL Transition Director
Email: TransitionDirector@biodiversitylibrary.org

How You Can Help

Even if you or your institution isn’t in a position to provide financial or hosting support, you can still make a huge impact:

📢 Share this post and the Call for Support widely across your networks
🤝 Connect us with institutions, colleagues and funders who might want to get involved
💬 Contribute ideas: we welcome creative and collaborative proposals
🌱 Support BHL directly: Make a Donation

Together, We Can Secure BHL’s Future

For 20 years, BHL has given researchers, educators, and the public free access to centuries of biodiversity knowledge. With your help, we’ll ensure this incredible resource continues to thrive and grow for generations to come.

Thank you for supporting BHL. 💚

Stay tuned for our next Transition Update, here on the BHL blog.

June 11, 2025
Written by and

Kelli Trei is the Biosciences Librarian at the Funk ACES Library and Associate Professor for the University Library at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kelli is also serving as the BHL Transition Director through 2026. She is deeply committed to the work of BHL in democratizing scientific information and making it available to scientists and our extensive interdisciplinary users worldwide.

Nicole Kearney is BHL’s Communications Director, Manager of BHL Australia, and Chair of BHL’s Persistent Identifier Working Group. She is passionate about open access, persistent identifiers, and Striped Possums.